Closure and tapping construction



April 30, 1957 G. D. FL'AITH ETAL 2,790,571

cLosuRE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 18, 1955 41o sheets-sheet 1 H K fm.. a ,Nm 8 g3/mn a 3 MJ| e/...s MM a H 1M III l D Ilwl 2 L., M ,/G n

April 30, 1957 Filed May 18, 1953 G. D. FLAlTH EI'AL CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION 10 Sh'eets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 65ans: Douma FLA/rh' Joss/H E, .SM/TH, Je.

T TORNEY.

April 3 0, 1957 G. D. FLAl'rl-l ETAL 2,790,571

cLosuRE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 18, 1953 l0 Sheets-Sheetl 4 l g INVENToRs .Gf-am: Oo/wuo Fumw JOSEPH 15M/rh', Je.

QT ORNEX April 30, 1957 G. D. FLAITH l-:rAL .y 2,790,571

CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 18. 1953 INVENTORS GEQPGE .ba/vino 72 rh' Jose-PH E .9M/TH,

Arroz/ven April 30, 1957 G. b. FLAITH ETAL cLosuRE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION l0 Sheets-Shea?I 6 Filed May 18, 1953 H. re WJ n ma@ a EDM T V L5 r N n 1m: .l H g @J Y B 4April 30, 1957 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed may 1e, 195s April 30, 1957- G. D. FLAITH ETAL cLosuRE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 18, 1955 ifm n 0L t., N ,was Im April 30, 1957 G. VD. FLAITH ETAL 2,790,571

CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION April 30, 1957 G. D. FLAITH ETAL 2,790,571

CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 18, 1953 l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 l /ll WAM/31W r roe/ve- Y United States Patent O CLOSURE AND TAPPING CONSTRUCTION George Donald Flaith and Joseph E. Smith, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 18, 1953, Serial No. 355,675

2 Claims. (Cl. 217-99) The present invention relates to closure-and-tapping mechanism for barrels, drums and other containers having such novel closure-and-tapping mechanism and it relates more particularly to mechanism for introducing a compressed gas (as, for example, air or carbon dioxide) into the barrel or the like and for removing the liquid contents (as, for example, beer) under pressure.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and improved closure-and-tapping mechanism for barrels, drums and other containers.

Another object of the present `invention is to provide novel closure-and-tapping mechanism which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is sturdy and dependable in operation and which facilitates cleaning, inspection and relling of the barrel or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container having a new and improved closure-and-tapping mechanism.

Other objects and advantages `of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

Generally speaking, the present application, which is a continuation-impart of our co-pending application Serial No. 34,728, tiled June 23, 1948, and now Patent No. 2,638,914, issued May 19, 1953, is directed to novel closure-aud-tapping mechanism for a barrel or the like which includes a valve-containing bung removably fastened within a bung-flange of the barrel and a valveoperating connector constructed and arranged for quickattachable and detachable fluid-tight connection to the bung to provide separate air-inlet and beer-outlet passageways.

The important feature of the present invention is the novel construction which permits the bung to be quickly and easily disconnected from the bung-llange after the barrel or the like has been emptied therethrough, so as to provide a relatively large opening to facilitate cleaning, inspection and re-lling of the barrel prior to re-use thereof, and which permits the bung to be easily reconnected to the bung-flange after the cleaning and inspection have been completed. Although the barrel may be filled (with beer or the like) through the conventional bung hole (generally located on the circular side of the barrel), the filling may be accomplished through the large-diameter opening of the bung-ange of the present invention prior to the connection thereto of the bung.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicatel like parts throughout:

Figure 1 represents a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical cross-section, of one embodiment of the ICC present invention with the valve-containing bung connected to the bung-flange and the valve operating connector detached from the bung.

Figure 2 represents a top plan view of the bung taken generally along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a bottom plan View of the connector taken generally along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 represents an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the bung-flange.

Figure 5 represents an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of the bung-flange and bung; with the bungvpartly inserted into the bung-flange.

Figure 6 represents an enlarged view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical cross-section, similar to the view of Figure 5, but showing the bung and the bungflange fully interconnected.

Figure 7 represents a perspective rview showing the bung disconnected from the bung-flange.

Figure 8 represents a vertical cross-sectional View, similar to the view of Figure l, but showing the connector attached to the bung, with the bung-valve in closed position.

Figure 9 represents a vertical cross-sectional view, similar to the view of Figure 8, but taken generally at thereto, with the bung-valve in open position.

Figure l0 represents a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the bayonet portions of the connector and the bung, in axially separated or detached position.

Figure 1l represents a fragmentary perspective View similar to Figure l0 but showin-g the rst stage of interconnection between the bayonet portions of the connector and of the bung.

Figure 12 represents a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figures 10 and 1l, showing still a subsequent position during the interconnection of the connector and the bung.

Figure 13 represents a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figures 10 to 12 inclusive showing the .connector at its point of maximum downward movement relative to the bung.

Figure 14 represents a fragmentary perspective view, with the connectorrotated 90 relative to the bung.

Figure 15 represents a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figures 10 to 14 inclusive showing the connector and the bung rotationally interlocked.

Figure 16 represents a horizontal cross-sectional view taken generally along line 16-16 of Figure 10.

Figure 17 represents a horizontal cross-sectional view taken generally along line 17-17 of Figure 10. Y

Figure 18 represents a horizontal cross-sectional View taken generally along the line ISL-18 of Figure 1.0.

Figure 19 `represents a horizontal cross-sectional view taken generally along line 19-19 of Figure 15.

Figure 20 represents a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical cross-section, of another embodiment of the present invention with the valve-containing bung connected-to the bung-flange and the valve-operating connector detached fromthe bung.

Figure 21 represents a top plan. View of the .bung of the embodiment of the :present invention shown in Figure 20, taken generally along line 21-21 of Figure 20.

Figure 22 represents a bottom -plan'view of the connector of the embodiment'shown in Figure 20, taken generally along line 22-22 of Figure 20.

Figure 23 represents a view, Vpartly in elevation and partly in vertical cnossfsection, of the bung of lthe em.- bodiment shown in Figure 20; said bungv beingshown in -a position which permits it to be disconnectedV from the bungfange.

Figure 24 represents. a bottom `plan view Vtaken generally Ialong line 24-24 of Figure23.

Figure 26 but showing the bung in a position which permits its to be disconnected from the bung-llange.

Figure 29 represents a side-elevational View of the 'bung of 'the embodiment of Figure 26. Y

Figure 3() represents a side-elevational view of the 'bung of the embodiment of Figure 26, but viewed gen- Y verally at`90 to the view of Figure 29.

Y Figure 3,1 represents a bottom plan view of the embodi- 'ment of the bung shown in Figures 29 and 3U, viewed generally along the line 31-31 of Figure 30.

Figure 32 represents a side-elevational view of the fbung-flange of `the embodiment shown in Figure 26.

Figure 33 represents a top plan view taken generally along lline 33-33 of Figure 32.

Figure 34 represents a side-elevational view taken lgenerally along line 34-34 of Figure 33.

According -to one embodiment of the present invention shown general-ly in Figures 1 to 19, and particularly in Figures 4 to 7 inclusive, a bung-iange 20, formed of metal or the like, may be permanently affixed to the sheetmetal end-Wall 21 of a ydrum or barrel or like container; the end-wall 21 being provided with an -annular stilenin-g or re-enforcing rib or head 22 in radially-spaced relationship to the hole 23.

The bung-flange includes a flat circular bottom 24 which extends radially outwardly beyond the periphery of the hole 23 and which is permanently axed (by welding or soldering or the like) to the end-wall 21. The Ibottom 24 of the bung-flange 20 is provided with a cir- `cular opening 25 which is in alignment with the hole 23 in lthe end-Wall 21.

The bung-flange 20 also includes an upstandilng collar :I A

26 which has a generally cylindrical outer wall 27. The rcollar 26 is provided with an uppermost generally circular inner surface 28 and a lowermost polygonal inner Vsurface 29, the surfaces 28 and 29 vbeing separated by a general-ly circular Alocking groove 30. The uppermost circular surface 23 has a plurality of notches 31 in axial alignment with the corners of the polygonal surface 29. A horizontal bung-seating surface 32 intervenes the vertical polygonal surface 29 and circular opening 25.

A bung 33 is constructed and arranged to be removably mounted within the bnng-ange 20. The bung includes -a generally cylindrical body-,portion 34 which may be fonned of metal. The body-portion 34 is provided with an upper, generally fiat head 35, the peripheral outline of which corresponds to land -is adapted to mate with the lpolygonal inner surface 29 of the collar 26 described above. Upstanding ears or projections 36, each having axially-inclined undercut surfaces 37 on the radially inner sidesurfaces thereof xare provided at the corners of the head 35.

diate the threads 40 land theopening 39 in the Ibore of the -cylindrical portion 38 is a groove 41 having appreciable I axial dimensionand providing axially-spaced opposed anfnular valve-seats 42 and 43. Y

A plurality of circumferentially spaced air-passageways e .44 extend radially from the groove 41 lto the louter surface of the cylindrical portion 38.

' tions 36 in the manner shown in Figure 5.

An O-ring of rubber or other compressiblc material is axially slidably mounted Within the groove 41 and, as will be described more fully hereinbelow, can be brought into fluid-tight and air-tight sealing relationship with either the valve-seat 42 (in which position it is above the level of the air-passageways 44) or with the valveseat 43 (in which position it is below the level of the airpassageways 44); i

Mounted within the cylindrical portion 38 4is an axially movable valve-member 46 which is externally screwthreaded at one end, as at 47; the vscrew-threads 47 being constructed Yand arranged to engage with the screwthreads 40 to permit axial movement of the valve-'mem- -ber 46 relative to the cylindrical portion 38.

The valve-member 46 is provided with an external annular groove 43 above the screw-threads 47; the groove 48 holding 'an O-ring 49 which is constructed and arranged for fluid-tight Aaxially sliding contact with the inner surface 50 in the bore of the cylindrical portion 38 between the valve-seat 43 and the Ithreads 40.

The upper end 51 of the valve-member 46 has a reduced diameter to provide an annular shoulder 52 which is constructed and arranged to bear against vthe O-ring 45 when the valve-member is screwed upwardly and to compress `the O-ring against the valve-seat 42 whereby to effect a fluid-tight seal intermediate saidvalve-seat 42 andthe upper end 51 of the valve-member 46.

An laxial bore 53 extends from the lower end of the valve-(member 46 and communicates with a plurality of circumferentially-distributed liquid-passageways 56 extending radially through the valve-member 46 axially intermediate the O-fn'ng 49 and the shoulder 52.

A riser-pipe 57 is tted into the bore 53 and depends therefrom; the lower end of which is adapted toterminate closely adjacent the opposite end of the drum or barrel to which the bung-dange is secured.

Extending from the upper end 51 of the valve-member 46 is a male bayonet-joint element 58 having a plurality of radially-extending ears 'or lugs 58-e.

The cylindrical portion 38 is provided with an outer annular groove 59 intermediate the head 35 and the airpassageways 44; the groove 59 holding an O-ring 60, the

` function of which will be described below.

A generally C-shaped locking-ring 6l of resilient metal or the like having a normal diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the locking groove 30 connects the bung 33 to the bung-flange 20. The ring 6l is first compressed (so as to bring its ends closer together and thereby to reduce its diameter) and then fitted into the head 35 radially within the undercut surfaces 37 of the proiesln this position, portions of the locking-ring 61 protrude radially outwardly beyond the straight edges of the polygonal head 35 circumferentially between the projections 36, but the diameter of the so-compressed ring is less than the diameter of the circular portion 28. v

The bung 33 (with the attached valve 46`and riserpipe 57) is then lowered into the bung-collar 26 through the opening 25 until the O-ring 60 is disposed'within the opening 25 and the portions of the locking ring 61 which extend radially beyond the straight sides of the polygonal head 35 are seated on the seating surfaces .3Q-a between the notches 31. H

In this position, which is shown in Figure 5, the upper surface of the head 35 and the locking-ring 6l are radially aligned with the locking groove 30, and the upstandiug projections 36 are fitted within the notches 3l.

Thereafter the bung 33 is moved still further downward relative to thev bung-ange 20;' the seating surfaces 30-a between the notches 31 preventingk corresponding downward movement of the locking-ring 61, and, as a result, the locking-ring 61 remains in the same horizontal'plane Y as the locking groove`30 while the projections 36 move downward relative thereto until the locking-ring 61 clears the tops of the projections and then springs outwardly into the locking groove 3i) above the projections 36.

As shown in Figures l, 6, 8 and 9, the so-seated locking-ring 61 overlies the tops of the projections 36 and prevents upward movement of the bung 33 relative to Vthe bung-ange the bung being thereby locked in position within the bung-ilange.

When it is desired to remove the bung 33, a small screwdriver or other pointed tool may be inserted into one of the notches 31 to pry the locking-ring 61 out of the locking groove 30, whereupon the bung may be lifted out (together with its attached valve-member 46 and riser-pipe 57) so that the relatively large-size opening in the bung-flange 20 is exposed, to facilitate cleaning and inspection of the drum or barrel or the like.

The novel closure-and-tapping construction of the present invention also includes a valve-operating connector indicated generally by the reference character 62. As shown particularly in Figures 1, 3, S and 9 to 19 inclusive, the valve-operating connector 62 includes a generally cylindrical housing 63 provided with an internally threaded air-inlet conduit 64 spaced somewhat above its lower end. Mounted within the air-inlet conduit 64 is an externally threaded air-valve 65 having a protruding ridged stem 66 adapted to receive one end of an air-hose not shown and having a check-valve 68 of conventional construction (for example, a Thomas valve) which permits ow of air under pressure inwardly through the conduit 64 but prevents flow of air in the opposite direction.

The lower end 69 of the housing 63 is grooved to receive an annular sealing-gasket 70 which, as indicated in Figures 8 and 9, is adapted to make duid-tight contact with the top of the head 35, around the opening 39, in a manner to be described more fully hereinbelow.

The valve-operating connector 62 also includes an operating-member 71 having an elongated hollow stern 72 with an enlarged female bayonet-joint element 73 formed at its lower end.

Extending downwardly from the top of the operatingmember 71 is a hollow cylindrical portion 74 having a pair of radially outwardly-protruding axially-spaced annular ribs 75 between which is disposed an O-ring 76 adapted to maintain a tluid-tight sliding seal between the cylindrical bore 77 of the housing 63 and the cylindrical portion 74 during relative movement of the operating-member 71 and the housing 63.

An inwardly-directed annular ange 78 is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical bore 77. A helical spring 79 is seated within the bore 77 against the ilange 7S and exerts upward pressure against the cylindrical portion 74 of the operating-member 71. A locking ring Si? extends radially inwardly at the upper edge of the housing 63 and serves to limit the upward movement of the operatingmember 71 relative to the housing 63 by engagement with the upper annular rio 7 5.

The operating-member 71 includes a shut-oit valve 81 (disposed above the cylindrical portion 74) having an apertured valve-plug 82 of conventional construction adapted to open and close the upper end of the hollow stem 72, when rotated.

An externally threaded liquid-outlet 83 is provided above the shut-off valve 81 and is adapted for detachable connection to a delivery line (not shown) whereby the beer or other liquid may be conveyed from the barrel.

A downwardly-directed shoulder 85 is provided peripherally of the female bayonet-joint element 73; the shoulder S5 being adapted to contact the O-ring 45 and to force the O-ring downward against the lower valve-seat 43 as shown in Figure 9.

The operating-member 71 is also provided with a handle 86 disposed generally in the same horizontal plane as Starting with the parts in the position shown in Figure 1 (i. e. with the bung 33 connected to the bung-flange 20 and with the valve-member 46 in uppermost closed position and with the valve-operating connector 62 above the bung) the valve-operating connector 62 is lowered until the sealing-gasket 7i) enters the opening 39 in the head 35 and the elongated opening in the female bayonetjoint element '73 is in alignment with the correspondingly elongated top of the male bayonet-joint element 58 (as shown in Figure l0). Pressure is then exerted upon the handle 86 to force the operating-member 71 downward relative to the housing 63, against the spring 79, until the lower lips 73-a of the female bayonet-element are radially adjacent the undercut engaging portions 58-a formed at the base of the shank of the male bayonetelement 58 (as shown in Figure 13). The handle 86 is then given a quarter-turn to rotate the female bayonetelement relative to the male bayonet-element and the handle 36 is then released whereupon the spring 79 urges the operating-member 71 and the female bayonet-element 73 upwardly until the upper surface of the lips 73-a engages the under surface of the ears SS-e (of the male bayonet-element 53) and the lips 73a are disposed above the undercut portion 58-a and radially adjacent the intermedate shank-portion SS-b, whereupon the bayonetjoint elements are interlocked to prevent rotation therebetween.

Rotation of the handle 36 then rotates the valve-member 46 to move it downwardly relative to the body 34. This downward screw-threaded movement of the valvemember 46 carries the operating-member 71 along with it until the annular shoulder forces the O-ring 45 into fluid-tight relationship with the lower valve-seat 43 as shown in Figure 9.

In this position, the Valve-member is open and the housing 63 is maintained in duid-tight contact with the top of the head 35 by the downward pressure of the compressed spring '79. Compressed air may then pass from the housing 63 through the annular clearance intermediate the opening 39 and the outer annular surface of the female bayonet-member 73 into the valve-chamber above the lower valve-seat 43, and Vfrom there radially outwardly through the air-passageways 44 into the drum or barrel.

The pressure within the sealed barrel forces the liquid up through the riser-pipe 57, into the axial bore 53 of the valve-member 46, radially outwardly through the passageways 56 into the valve-chamber below the lower valveseat 43, from whence the liquid passes through the openings 90 (see Figure 19) between the interconnected bayomet-joint elements upwardly through the hollow stem 72 and the open valve S1 to the liquid outlet 83.

The valve-operating connector 62 may remain interconnected to the bung until the liquid contents of the drum or barrel are fully dispensed; the contents of the drum or barrel being maintained under pressure, and the flow of beer or other liquid being regulated by the shutoff valve S1 (or by a dispensing-valve [not shown] at the end of the delivery line). Selectively, the valve may be closed by rotating the handle 86 counter-clockwise (when viewed from above) and the connector may be disengaged prior to the removal of the entire contents of the barrel.

After the drum or barrel has been emptied, the handle 86 may be rotated until the valve-member 46 is returned to its uppermost closed position, whereupon the handle S6 is pushed down and rotated a quarter-turn to disconnect the female bayonet-element y73 from the male bayonet-element 58; after which the valve-operating connector 62 is lifted free of the bung 33.

The empty drum .or barrel may then be returned to the brewery or the like, whereupon the locking-ring 61 is disengaged from the locking groove 30 in the manner described above, enabling the bung 33 to be disconnected or barrel.

This exposes the relatively large opening 25 and facilitates cleaning of the drum or barrel.

The removed bung also is easily cleaned. Thus, the valve-unit 46 can be unscrewed and completely detached from the bung-body 34 by rotating the riser-pipe 57, so that both elements can be cleaned thoroughly and, if desired, can be readily sterilized.

After cleaning and inspection of the barrel have been effected, the bung 33 is re-attached to the bung-flange 20 in the manner described hereinabove, whereupon the drum or barrel may be relled through the conventional bung-opening in the side thereof and the so-flled barrel is again ready to receive the valve-operating connector for dispensing of its liquid contents.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 2() to 25, the closure-and-tapping mechanism includes a bung 119 operatively disposed within a bungflange 120, and a valve-operating connector or tappingmember indicated generally by the reference character 121.

As indicated particularly in Figure 20, the bung-flange 120 includes body 122 having a generally tubular portion 123 and a generally disc-shaped head 124. The head 124 is provided with a plurality of circumferentiallyvspaced axially-extending openings 125 adapted to receive threaded bolts 126 which are constructed and arranged to etlect engagement within aligned sockets 127 in the shoulder 128 disposed peripherally of the opening 21-a of the drum or barrel.

An O-ring 130 is disposed on the beveled portion 129 of the shoulder 128 and is constructed and arranged to be compressed when the bolts 126 are tightened so as to provide a duid-tight seal intermediate the head 124 and the shoulder 128.

lt is to be understood that the head 124 of the bungllange 120 may be welded or otherwise connected to a sheet-steel barrel-head in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 4, or the tubular portion 123 of the body 122 of the bung-flange 120 may be externally threaded (not shown) to engage corresponding threads (not shown) in the bore 21-a of the shoulder 128 (in a manner shown in our co-pending application Serial No. 34,728), whereby to eliminate the bolts 126.

The tubular portion 123 of the bung-ange 120 includes an uppermost internal cylindrical surface or bore 131; a conical downwardly tapered surface 132 formed as a lower co-axial extension of the bore 132, and a smaller diametered cylindrical surface 133 formed as an extension of the tapered surface 132, with a groove 134 formed therein; said groove 134 having a major diameter approximately the same as that of the upper cylindrical bore 131. An annular flange 135 projects radially inwardly beneath the bore 133, with a plurality (for example of circumferentially spaced notches 136 formed therein.

Detachably engaged within the tubular portion 123 of the bung-flange 120 is the bung 119; said bung having a -head 139 which is provided with a central bore 140 and cumferentially distributed, radially-outwardly-protruding,

` downwardly-tapered cam-shoulders 146, the upper ends of which terminate below the lower lip 144 and are pron vided with shoulders 147.

A plurality (for example 5) of small horizontal ports l. `14t'are formed in the bung 119 just below the lip 144 and f provide air-passageways.

The bung 119 also includes a transverse wall 149 hav- ,g liberen/internally threaded as at 150; the threads 5p lalnga relatively coarse or large pitch. A pluralityV axial-extending ports 151 are formed in the wall 149 to provide iluid-passageways therethrough. Below the bore in the head 139 is a cylindrical surface or bore 152 which terminates in an annular shoulder 153 (below the ports 148) and a second annular shoulder 15S-a (above the ports 148).

Operatively disposed within the bung 119 is a movable valve 154 having a stem 155 which is externally threaded at 156 to engage with the threads 150 in the wall 149.

Above the stem 155, the valve 154 has a tapered head 157 which is peripherally grooved as at 158 to provide a shoulder 159 slightly smaller in diameter than the bore 140 (to permit insertion of the valve through said bore 140).

An O-ring 160 is disposed within the inner bore 152, intermediate the shoulders 153 and 15S-a, and is adapted to engage the shoulder 159 of the valve-head 157, as indicated particularly in Figure 20.

The valve-head 157 includes a bayonet-socket 161 adapted to receive a mating bayonet-portion 183 of the connector 121.

A resilient split-ring 162 (formed of relatively hard non-compressible synthetic plastic or the like) is disposed on the shoulders 147 and extends radially outwardly beyond the cam shoulders 146 and into the groove 134 of the body 122 when the bung 119 is inserted within the tubular lportion 123 (as shown in Figure 20). The head 139 is disposed radially adjacent the juncture of the bore 131 and the conical surface 132, with the O-ring 142 somewhat compressed between the upper lip 143 and the conical surface 132 to provide a fluid-tight seal intermediate the head 139 and the body 122.

The O-ring 142 is relatively thick and urges the bung 119 upwardly. When suflcient pressure is applied to the top of the bung 119, the 0-ring 142 will yield to permit the valve 134 to move downwardly to the position shown in Figure 23. However, the split-ring 162 is prevented from moving downward by the inwardly-protruding flange 135 and springs from the shoulders 147 inwardly against the cylindrical surface 145. Thus the resilient split-ring 162 contracts to a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore 133, permitting the bung 119 to be lifted out of the tubular portion 123 of the bung-flange 120.

When it is desired to insert the bung 119 (after the drum has been filled), the split-ring 162 is first positioned on the flange 135 radially adjacent the groove 134. Then the bung 119 is forced downwardly into the bung-flange 120 (with the cam-shoulders 146 in alignment with the notches 136). The cam-shoulders 146 gradually expand the split-ring 162 into the groove 134 until the upper ends pass beneath the split-ring and the ring snaps into place on the shoulders 147. Thus the ring 146 is locked (in shear) between the lange 135 and the upper surface of the groove 134 and secures the bung 119 within the bung-flange 120.

As shown particularly in Figure 20, the connector 121 includes =a collar 163 having a compressible sealing-gasket 164 disposed in and protruding downwardly from an annular groove formed in its lower end; said gasket being constructed and arranged to make fluid-tight contact with the top surface of the bung 119 around the opening 140 (as indicated in Figure 25). The collar 163 may be provided `with an annular knurled gripping-surface 16S-a adjacent its upper end.

The collar 163 has a cylindrical bore 165 internally threaded as at 166.

The connector 121 also includes a rotatable member 167. The member 167 has a cylindrical portion 168 externally threaded at its lower end, as at 169, for engagement with the internally threaded portion 166 (the threads 166 and 169 having a smaller pitch than the threads and 156 described hereinabove). Above the threads 169 on the cylindrical portion 168 are a pair of radially-outwardly-protruding axially-spaced ribs 170, between which an O-ring 171 is disposed whereby to 9 maintain a uid-tight sliding seal between the bore 165 and the cylindrical portion 168 during relative movement therebetween.

The member 167 also includes an elongated stem 172 which extends downwardly beyond the bottom edge of the collar 163; the stem 172 having an appreciably smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the cylindrical portion 168 to provide an annular passageway within the collar 163 and the cylindrical portion 168, around the stern 172.

A Valve 176 is disposed at the upper end of the bore of the stem 172 and a conduit 173 leads therefrom to an externally threaded outlet 174 (to which a delivery line 175 may be detachably connected).

The valve 176 is provided with an operating handle 177 whereby the valve can be opened or closed.

The upper end of the annular passageway within the cylindrical portion 168 communicates with an internally threaded air-conduit 178, formed in the upper portion of the operating member 167 generally Opposite the outlet 174, as is indicated particularly in Figures 20 and 22.

Mounted within the air-conduit 178 is an externally threaded air-inlet valve 179 including a stem 180 adapted to receive an air-hose 181. A check-valve 182 which permits compressed air or inert gas to pass inwardly is disposed within the conduit 178.

The lower end of the stem 172 is provided with a male bayonet member 183 which is adapted to engage the female bayonet socket 161 in the head 157 of lthe valve.

Above the bayonet unit 183, on the lower end of the stem 172, is an annular shoulder 184, groov'ed at its lower edge, as at 185, which is adapted to contact the O-ring 160 when the stem 172 is inserted within the bore 140 in the bung 119.

A pair of handles 186 is formed at the upper end of the operating member 167 whereby the stem 172 and the male bayonet member may be rotated to engage the connector 121 to the bung 119 and also to operate the valve 154, as described hereinbelow.

The operation of the embodiment of Figures 20 to 25 is as follows:

With the valve 154 in the closed position and with the connector 121 in the position shown in Figure 20 (wherein the stern 172 is elevatedlabove the bung 119), the connector 121 is lowered until themale bayonet member 183 is inserted into the female bayonet socket 161. In this initial position, the gasket 164 on the collar 1 63 doesrnot contactnthe top surface of the bung 1119. The handles 186 are then turned 90 to engage Vthegmale bayonet member 183 with the female bayonet socket 161.

Further rotation of the handles 186 Iwill then screw the valve 154 downwardly from the positionshown in Figure 20 to the position shown in Figure 25. Inasmuch as the threads 166 on the collar 163 have a smaller pitch than the threads 159 of the valve 154, th collar 163 (though manually held against rotation) will also be moved downwardly until the gasket 164 is brought into fluid-tight engagement with the top surface of the bung 1-19 as indicated in Figure 25.

As the stem 172 moves downwardly with thevalve 154;, the shoulder 184 engages Athe v-ring 160 and forces it from the position shown irl-'Figure 20 (wherein it was compressed against the shoulder S-"a by the head 157 of the valve 154) te the position shown in 'Figure 25,V

wherein it is below the ports Y148'and'is compressed against the shoulder 153, to Yprovide Va huid-tight seal intermediate'the shoulders 185 and 153. Thereafter, compressed air may enter from the air hose 181 through the check-valve 182 and pass through the annular passage-l way surrounding the stem 172, the horizontal ports 148 in the bung 119, and the passageway between the bung 119 and the bung-ange 120 (below the O-ring 142) into drum or barrel. As indicated particularly in Figure 24, the cam-shoulders 146 are somewhat smaller than the notches' 136 to provide clearance to permit the air to pass to the top of the drum or barrel.

The pressure within the barrel forces liquid upwardly through the riser pipe 187 (the riser pipe 187 having its upper end fitted into the bottom of the bung 119 as shown in Figures 20 and 25 and having its lower end terminating near the bottom of the barrel), into the bung 119, through the ports 151 and the bore 152 and the interconnected bayonet-members, upward through the hollow stem 172 and the spigot 176 to the conduit 173 and the delivery line 175.

lt is apparent that the O-ring serves to separate the air-passageway from the beer-passageway.

When the drum or barrel has been emptied (or when it is desirable to cease the fluid-flow and/or to disengage the connector 121), the handles 186 are reversely rotated to raise the valve 154 to its upper position, shown in Figure 20, and then an additional quarter-turn will disengage the bayonet element 183 from the bayonet socket 161.

The empty barrel then may be returned to the brewery, etc., the bung 119 is forced downwardly to the releasing position shown in Figure 23 so tha-t it can be removed for cleaning and so that a relatively large-size opening is available through which to clean the barrel.

After the barrel has been refilled, bung 119 is resecured to the bung-flange 120 in the manner described hereinabove.

In Figures 26 to 34 there is illustrated another form of closure and tapping mechanism similar to the bung 119 described above, which is adapted for operation with the body-portion 122-a of the bung-flange 120-a.

The bung 188 of this embodiment includes a housing 189 and head 190 having a peripheral -groove 191 adapted to receive an O-ring 192.

The bung 188 is shown in Figures 26 to 30 in elevation only; it being understood that internally it may be similar to the bung 119.

The housing 189 is generally elliptical in horizontal cross-section with its minor axis 193 generally uniform throughout the axial length, as indicated in Figures 27 and 30, but with its major axis tapering slightly as indicated in Figures 28 and 29 from a maximum dimension 194-a to a minimum dimension 194.

The housing 189 is provided with uppermost diametrically opposed arcuate peripheral shoulders 195 providing an elliptical seat 196 for a locking-ring 197. The elliptical -seal 196 has a minor axis equal to the axis 193 and has a major axis 196-a of a size generally intermediate the axes 194 and 194-a.

Above the elliptical seat 196, the housing 189 is provided with a reduced neck-portion 198 which is generally circular in cross-section and has a diameter generally equal to the minor axis 193.

The locking-ring 197 is a continuous resilient nonsplit ring which may be constructed of relatively hard and nonfcompre'ssible synthetic lresin or the like. The locking-ring 197 is normally circular in configuration with anH inside diameter generally equal to the axis 194 and with an outside diameter slightly less than the diameter of the lower edge of the downwardly-tapered surface 200 of the bung-flange 120-a.

In 'this embodiment, a pair of arcuate radially inwardly-protruding ilanges 199 are formed integrally with and beneath the under side of the body 122-a, which, as shown particularly in Figure 33, provides generally elliptical inner edges to 'define an opening vwhich permits the insertion of the housing 189.

In assembling the bung 188 within the body 122-a of the bung-flange 120-a, the locking-ring 197 is first placed on the flanges 199 as indicated particularly in Figure 32, whereupon the bung 188 is inserted therein` from above.

As the bung 188 moves downwardly, the tapered ellipticalr surface distorts the locking-ring 197 from its original circular configuration to an elliptical one, enabling the housing 189 to pass therethrough. With the locking-ring thus distorted, its outside diameter, along the line of its major axis, is increased to a size 4greater thanthe diameter of the lower edge of the tapered surface 200. As the housing 189 continues to move down- Wardly through the resilient locking-ring 197, the latter iinally passes the upper end of the tapered portion and snaps onto the elliptical seat 196, as shown in Figures 26 and 27.

ln this last-mentioned position, the locking-ring 197 is still distorted into a generally elliptical shape so that its major outside diameter is greater than the diameter at the bottom of the tapered surface 200 (which it underlies) vas shown particularly in Figure 26, and locks the bung 188 against upward movement relative to the body 122-a of the bung-llange 1Z0-a. That is, the locking- Vring 197 provides a barrier, at the ends of the major axis 196-a of the elliptical seat 196, which prevents upward movement of the bung 188 relative to the body 122-0. in this locked position, the O-ring 192 is cornpressed in the groove 192 to form a fluid-tight seal intermediate the head 190 and the tapered surface 200.

Moreover, the bung`188 is prevented from moving downwardly by the -ring 192 (and prevented from moving upwardly by the locking-ring 197) so that it seals the bore in the bung-flange 1Z0-a.

However, when sufiicient downward pressure is applied to the upper surface of the head 190, the O-ring 192 is further compressed and distorted to permit the bung 188 to move to the position shown in Figure 28. Since the flanges 199 prevent the locking-ring 197 from moving downwardly, the locking-ring 197 is displaced from the elliptical seat 196 onto the neck portion 198 where it reassumes its original circular configuration, as indicated in Figure 2S.

With the locking-ring 197 thus in its original circular configuration, its outside diameter is less than the diameter of the lower edge of the tapered surface 200 so that it no longer forms a barrier against upward movement of the `bung 188, and the bung 188 may be removed from the bung-flange 1Z0-a for cleaning and to permit refilling of the barrel.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific ,forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the apended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In a closure-and-tapping device for a barrel or the like, a bung-flange having an axial opening formed therein and having an upstanding collar, said collar being somewhat larger in diameter than said opening and being coaxial therewith, thereby providing a generally horizontal annular seating-surface peripherally of the upper end of corners of the polygonal surface, a valve-containing bung;

including a generally cylindrical body adapted to fit within 'the opening in the bung-flange, said bung having an upper enlarged head of polygonal outline corresponding to the said opening, said collar having a lower inner surface of y' o.

polygonal inner surface of said collar, a huid-tight seal.- ing gasket intermediate said hung andsaid bung-flange, a resilient locking-ring capable of being deformed so as to reduce its normal diameter, said locking-ring' being constructed and arranged temporarily to be positioned upon said head in compressed smaller-diameter condition ,while said bung is lowered into said bung-flange with the corners of the head fitting within the notches of the upper circular surface, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be set free of said head when said head is forced further downward into the lower polygonal surface, said locking-ring springing outwardly into the lockinggroove in overlying relationship to the corners of the head whereby the bung is inter-locked with the bung-ange, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be contractedto remove it from the locking-groove thereby to free the bung and to permit it to be removed from the bung-flange. v

2. A container including a barrel, a bung-flange mounted on an endwall of said barrel with the bore of said bung-liange coaxial with an opening in said barrel, the bodyof said bung-flange covering the edge of said barrel opening, said bung-ilange having an axial opening formed therein and having an upstanding collar, said ycollar being somewhat larger in diameter than said openingV and being coaxial therewith, thereby providing a generally horizontal annular seating-surface peripherally of lthe upper Aend of said opening, said collar having a lower inner surface'of generally polygonal outline and having an upper inner surface of generally circular outline and having an intervening lockinggroove, said upper circular 'surface being provided with notches in vertical alignment withthe corners of the polygonal surface, a valve-containing bung including a generally cylindrical body adapted to lit within the opening in the bung-flange, said bung having an upper enlarged head of polygonal outline correspending to the polygonal inner surface of said collar, a

'the upper circular surface, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be set free of said head when said head is forced further downward into the lower polygonal surface, said locking-ring springing outwardly into the locking-groove in overlying relationship to the corners of the head whereby the bung is interlocked with the bungange, said locking-ring being constructed and arranged to be contracted to remove it from the locking-groove thereby to free the bung and to permit it to be removed from the bung-flange.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 327,509 Aldridge 1 Oct. 6, 1885 2,056,524 Johnson Oct. 6, 1936 2,346,445 Merker et al Apr. 11, 1944 2,352,728 Merker et a1. July 4, 1944 2,353,252 Leisure July 11, 1944 2,429,782 Versoy Oct. 28, 1947 2,470,800 Ashton May 24, 1949 2,577,009 Frantz Dec. 4, 1951 2,630,131 Snyder Mar. 3,v 1953 2,661,018 Snyder Dec. 1, 1953 

